Should be easy to inspect because it's an observation hive. You should be able to see everything you need to and shouldn't have to open it unless you need to. The only time I actually crack mine open is when they're beginning to get too crowded and or the queen is preparing to swarm. Unhook it, carry it outside, open it up, steal the appropriate frame(s) and bees, insert the replacement frame(s), close it up, carry it back inside, and hook it back up. It takes 15 minutes max. Mine is a 5 frame so it's not easy to move around but I only get into it a half dozen times a year max.